Use this page to access key information about the Cholera Disease.
- Find generic information about the causes of Cholera ,what it is, where Cholera is commonly found.
- Gleam more specific information about the effects of Cholera and its impact on the body.
- Find tips on Cholera prevention and if it can be prevented at all.
- Finally, find a danger rating to give you a clear indication of how seriously you should take the illness and common forms of Cholera treatment.
- Click here for information regarding the Cholera Vaccine
Cholera
What is it(causes of cholera)?
The Cholera disease is caused by a bacterium – Vibrio cholerae – which produces a toxin causing spectacularly severe diarrhoea. It is spread through water contaminated by sewage and occasionally through food. You need to ingest a lot of bugs to get the disease, so travellers are less likely to be affected than locals.
Cholera tends to occur in pandemics. Very few cases have been brought back to the UK and almost all of them from the Indian subcontinent.
What does it do?
Cholera often does very little and can be mistaken as gastroenteritis. But it can cause severe diarrhoea 6 to 72 hours after infection. Affected people can pass as much as 20 litres of diarrhoea in 24 hours, causing acute dehydration and sometimes death.
Where is it ?
Cholera is found in Africa, Asia and South America, with risk of the disease highest in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Bangladesh and Peru.
Can it be treated?
For effective Cholera treatment patients need rapid replacement of fluids and if necessary a tetracycline antibiotic to kill the infection. Normally treatment will bring complete recovery.
Is Cholera prevention possible?
Taking care over sources of water and food will prevent most cases. If necessary, there is an oral vaccine available.
Danger rating: 2/10
